This week in The Times: Amy Spires

Vitals: Amy Spires, 32, is a lifelong resident of Rockton. Spires is employed as a sales consultant for TDS Metrocom. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a bachelor’s degree in management. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and husband, as well as hiking, camping and almost any activity outdoors.

1. Did you attend On the Waterfront 2010? If so, what was your favorite part of this year’s festival? My family and I attended on both Saturday and Sunday. There was plenty of good food available, but my favorite part of the festival was Adam Lambert’s performance. The dancers and all the costume changes made it seem like a well-rehearsed production. Plus, I really like his music, so that made it even better.

2. What were your overall impressions of the attendance at this year’s On the Waterfront? I didn’t go around counting people, but when I was there it seemed very busy. The streets were packed with people. I’ve been going to On the Waterfront since I was a kid, and it certainly seemed more crowded than the past few years to me. I think the festival is still viable, and it continues to attract big-name performers. As long as they continue to bring in big acts, people will continue to go.

3. Now that summer is almost over, what has you excited about the upcomng fall season? Honestly, football is always the most exciting part of the fall for me. Specifically, Wisconsin Badgers football is what I look forward to the most. As an undergraduate, I spent so many Saturdays rooting them on. And even now as an alumna, I still spend my Saturdays pulling for my favorite team. Plus, the cool weather will be a nice change, too.

4. Do you think President Barack Obama (D) could stimulate more business growth by supporting more tax breaks for businesses? Perhaps, yes. I think that our economy is still slumbering and hasn’t quite made the rebound we were all expecting. Tax breaks could make the difference for some businesses when it comes to hiring more employees. The best cure would be to put more people to work because when people are working, they have money to spend, which drives our consumer-based economy. So, I think backing more tax breaks could stimulate growth.

5. Question from the previous “This week in The Times” participant, Kaylie-Lynn Kurtzweg: What do you do to help animals in need? Well, we have two cats as house pets, but we also donate money and time to our local pet shelters. Plus, we donate food to all the pet food drives when they happen.

“This week in The Times” is a weekly survey of people selected by The Rock River Times staff. The column does not accept unsolicited submissions.